Curtain-fixture.



G. E. GILMAN.

CURTAIN FIXTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1909.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

llhllluln/Zimllh W/TNES All/.Wiley 1m: Nonms PETERS ca., wAsulNcroN. n. cv

GEORGE E. GILIVIAN, 0F WEST NEWBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CURTAIN-FIXTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1li, 1911.

Application led July 2, 1909. Serial No. 505,747.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE E. GILMAN, a citizen of the United States., residing at TNest Newbury, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Fixtures, of which the following is a speciiication.

The present invention relates to fixtures for vertically or longitudinally moving curtains, and more particularly those employed for open or summer cars, though it is to be understood that the invention is by no means limiterL to such use.

The primary object is to provide a simple and effective guiding and holding means which can be employed in connection with ordinary curtain material, is readily adjustable to compensate for the slight variations due to the inequalities of t-he structure with which it is employed, and is very dnrable, being made up of elements not liable to injury or derangement.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an open street car equipped with the curtain iiXture embodying the present inven tion. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of one of the side posts and the lower end portion of the curtain and curtain-holding bar. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through the same on the lines 3 3 of 2. Fig. l is a hori- Zontal sectional view substantially on the line 4-11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of one of the roller carrying brackets. Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of one of the roller carrying reinforcing strips.

Similar reference numerals designate cor-, responding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The'embodiment disclosed is applied to an open car, but as already stated, not necessarily limited to use thereon. The posts of the car are designated 5, and are provided with longitudinal channels 6, in each of which is fitted a single-pieced boxing 7 suitably secured in place and including an outer overhanging integral wall 8 that leavesl a longitudinal slot 9.

The curtain is designated generally by the reference numeral 10, and is provided at intervals with reinforcing or bracing strips 11 carrying at their ends L-shaped brackets 12. On these brackets are journaled rollers 13 that operate against the overhanging wall 8. A base-board or curtain-holding bar 14E is secured to the lower end of the curtain, and preferably consists of a substantially U-shaped strip of sheet metal forming side walls 15 that embrace the lower margin of the curtain, and are secured thereto by fasteners 16 passing through said side walls and curtain. Fit-- ted into the lower portion of this holdingbar 111 is a weight 17 that helps to adjust the curtain and which terminates short of the ends of the bar, leaving sockets in which are slidably mounted the tongues or bases 18 of brackets that project from said ends. These tongues or bases have longitudinally disposed slots 19, through which are passed clamping bolts 20 that serve to secure the bracket-s againstl movement relative to the bars and in different adjusted positions thereon. Filling plates 21 may be located alongside the said tongues or bases. The projecting portions of the brackets extend through the slots 9 ot the boxings, and carry upon their inner ends upright arms 22 that are provided in their outer sides with longitudinal channels 23 formed by bending the material to substantially tl-shape in cross section. Journaled in the ends of the channel are anti-friction rollers 24k that bear against the inner side of the overhang-ing wall 8. Friction springs 25 are secured at their upper ends, and as shown at 26, in the channels. the lower ends of these friction springs being offset, as shown at 27, and passing through openings 28 in the arms 22. These springs bear against the rear walls of the boXings.

It will be observed that this device is eX- ceedingly simple and durable, yet it constitutes effective guiding and holding means for a curtain, ,besides being adjustable so that the curtain may be fitted and the device will properly operate in spaces of slightly varying width.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letter Patent, is

l. In a curtain fixture, the combination with a curtain-holding bar having spaced side walls between which the curtain is clamped, of a bracket having a projecting portion and also a base or tongue fitted between the side walls and provided with a slot, a clamping device passing through the side walls and through the slot, and holding means carried by the projecting portion of the bracket.

2. In a Vcurtain fixture, the combination with a curtain-holding bar comprising side walls, of a curtain having its margins engaged and clamped between the side walls, a bracket slidably mounted between the side walls and projecting from one end of the same, said bracket having slots, fasteners passing through the side walls and the slots,

j an upright channeled arm forming a part of the bracket and having an opening, rollers journaled in the channel at the ends of the arm, and a leaf-spring secured in the channel and having an offset Vportion projecting through the opening.

8. In a curtain fixture, the combination with a guide post having a channel, of a single-piece boxing fitted in the channel and having an outer overhanging integral wall, leaving a longitudinal slot, a curtain, a curtain-holding bar secured thereto and including spaced side walls that embrace the lower margins of said curtain, a bracket slidably mounted between the side walls of the curtain-holding bar and projecting from one end of the same, said bracket extending through the slot of the boxing and including an upright channeled arm located in the boxing, rollers journaled on the ends of the arin and engaging the overhanging wall, and a leaf-spring secured to said arm and bearing against the rear wall of the boxing.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. GILMAN.

IVitnesses:

FLORENCE E. VooDwELL, CHARLES G. PRAY. 

